Christopher Michael Walls, Oxycodone Distribution, West Virginia 2014

Two individuals were sentenced in federal court in Martinsburg today on drug trafficking charges. The harsh reality of the opioid epidemic in West Virginia was laid bare as Christopher Michael Walls, 30, of Clarksburg, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for selling oxycodone in Harrison County in January 2014.

Walls pled guilty in July 2014 to one count of “Distribution of Oxycodone – Aiding and Abetting” following an investigation by the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force demonstrated great dedication in taking down those involved in the illicit drug trade.

According to court documents, Walls was involved in the distribution of oxycodone, a highly addictive opioid, in Harrison County. The case against Walls was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner on behalf of the government. U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley presided over the case.

In a separate case, Joshua Rollyson, 31, of Sutton, West Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for selling heroin in Braxton County in November 2013. Rollyson pled guilty in October 2014 to one count of “Distribution of Heroin” following an investigation by the West Virginia State Police.

The cases against both Walls and Rollyson highlight the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in West Virginia. The harsh penalties handed down by the court serve as a warning to those involved in the illicit drug trade.

The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across West Virginia, and the sentencing of Walls and Rollyson brings a measure of justice to those affected. The Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force and the West Virginia State Police deserve credit for their tireless efforts in taking down those involved in the drug trade.

The harsh realities of the opioid epidemic demand a continued commitment to combating drug trafficking in West Virginia. The sentencing of Walls and Rollyson brings a measure of closure to those affected and serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic.

The Grimy Times will continue to cover the ongoing struggle against the opioid epidemic in West Virginia.

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